WITH a stone dating the building at 1317, this is comfortably one of the oldest pubs in the land.

Stepping inside, one can easily imagine all manner of characters stopping by over the, er, centuries.

Indeed, given the period textiles in the main restaurant, it’s easy to picture William Shakespeare enjoying a pint while lending an ear to some finer points of conversation which could, perhaps, have inspired a line or two in one of his plays.

How about: ‘I would give all my fame for a pot of ale’, from Henry V.

Or even Romeo & Juliet’s ‘Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers’.

Visitors today are given a choice of having a bar meal in one room or, for not much more outlay at the height of the day, a two-for-one lunch.

There are some giant leather sofas to enjoy if you want to spend a little time, as we did, making up your mind.

As tempted as I was by the ‘proper’ egg-soaked chip butty in the bar, we thought we’d go posh while the going was so good.

Thanks to a personable waitress who made us feel very welcome, my wife was soon tucking into a £13.95 grilled salmon with oriental style noodles and a sweet chilli sauce while my magnificent Lashford sausage of the week, served on a plate of superb mash and usually £11.95, came free.

Collette thought her sauce was a touch sloppy, but the bangers were bonzer and so substantial that I had no chance of dessert.

At £5.50 for two courses, three children’s meals were appreciated by all, though Louie remarked how tiny his sausages were compared to my pair of whoppers. Good chips, though, son!

Madison had quality chicken while Holly had a pasta dish. Confident of the quality of its ingredients, the pub’s website – www.bullsheadpub.com – proudly lists its suppliers. Personally, I’d offer children one scoop of locally-made Henley Ice Cream instead of two scoops of whatever else they use.